Chilly Winds Remind Chicago That It’s Still March

CHICAGO (CBS) — The summerlike spell of 80-plus degree days last week might have led you to forget, but it is, in fact, still March.

On Monday morning, you were slapped in the face with a reminder of that fact, when temperatures were actually below average for this time of year.

At 6:30 a.m., it was a mere 38 degrees at Midway International Airport and 39 degrees at O’Hare. But wind was gusting as fast as 35 mph in some areas, leaving branches and no-parking signs swaying and beating around, and slapping unlucky early-morning commuters in the face with a wind chill that made it feel like just 28 degrees at O’Hare and Midway and 26 at Waukegan.

By 11:20 a.m., the air temperature had climbed to 39 in Waukegan and 42 at O’Hare and Midway.

At least conditions were sunny, with just some high clouds near the lakefront. But a chance of rain remains throughout the day, and CBS 2 Meteorologist Megan Glaros says you might want to keep your umbrella handy.

A Canadian high-pressure system is bringing cool air. By Tuesday, the system will be replaced by a warm front that will draw in milder air from the southwest, but will also bring rain.

The high for Monday is only 49 degrees, compared with an average of 51. Overnight, the temperature drops to 40, only to rise back to 67 on Tuesday.

The high is 69 for Wednesday, 52 for Thursday, 58 for Friday, 61 for Saturday, and 59 for Sunday.